Test: SQlab's One12 racer pants are the result of a collaboration with the sportswear manufacturer Protective. The pants come from him, the pad from the bustling Ergo specialists from Munich. What are the special features of the SQ-Short One12 and how does the community development perform in practice?
The SQ-Short One12 pant is designed for road cycling and race-oriented mountain biking - which are the target areas of use for these pants. And there is something special and unusual to discover about the pad: It is thin, much thinner than you would expect from a high-quality bike bib today. The SQlab team around Toby Hild has once again brushed against the grain: "Does it have to be true that the thicker the padding, the more comfortable the pants are?" they asked themselves there. One came to the conclusion: No, it doesn't have to be. This is one of the things that needs to be checked here.
The SQ-Short One12 is a high-end textile
As far as the workmanship is concerned, you can expect a lot of quality for 190 euros. And you can get that from Protektive too. The material is thin but strong and has high stretchability. You can already tell by touch: the fabric is anything but cuddly
elig, but it adapts well and should not wear out. The many seams are very neatly worked, the many tracks run without the slightest unwanted curves.
Good thing: Nobody gets pampered here
"No diaper feeling" - this is one of the ways Sqlab advertises the pants with the thin pad. But putting it on the first time is disappointing: the thin but hard pillow hangs stiffly like a board under your buttocks and is bulky between your legs. walking is uncomfortable. Now is not go
the main area of application for cycling shorts, but we would not have expected so much annoying feeling.
But further: The endings on the legs are snug, thanks to a width of almost six centimeters they need little tension in order not to slip. The ends are silicone-free - a plus in terms of environmental protection. Protectors explain that you can shorten the wide cuffs to your liking without damaging the material - it shouldn't fray. We haven't tried this; but if you like short bib legs, you should dare.
Close to the driver – tough physical contact
But first on the bike: Look, the pants fit perfectly, as soon as I touch the saddle I have the impression: Yes, that feels more direct than with pads that are up to twelve millimeters thick.
It goes without saying that a thinner, harder pad gives more contact with the saddle. The question that still needs to be asked: Can the contact become uncomfortable – cause pressure points or even chafing? We will see.
The SQ Short One12 passt – in the right size
The back part, which merges into the straps, is made of stretchy mesh material, which nestles comfortably against the straps without much tension. At four centimetres, these are quite wide and very flat - they are hardly noticeable, are not felt to be there, but ensure that the trousers sit properly. This is also because it simply has a good fit itself. Speaking of which: If you order the Sqlab One12 online, you should definitely order a size above your standard - the pants are very small.
The iPad under the seat cushions
But what about the great pad? Does it live up to expectations? Yes, in two ways:
We have found that the more often we use the pants, the more comfortable the pants and especially the seat cushion become. Not only that the complained "wooden board feeling" has already disappeared after two rides: the more often you ride, the more you feel like you've grown into your pants. You get off your racer or MTB after 100 kilometers and forget that you're wearing a bib with a pad.
It doesn't have to bein- The Logic of Butt Pain
This is all the more pleasing because the pad also fulfills its main task. Again, briefly on the SQlab logic in terms of seat cushions: Years ago we found out - and the cycling community agrees on that - that saddles are not as soft as possible, but rather hard saddles that go well with the anatomy of the rider or the harmonize with the driver, are comfortable in the long run.
And with the trouser pads it should suddenly be completely different? How come?
Another assumption is actually obvious: sitting problems and pain are associated with higher shear forces, i.e. movements that result in thicker cushions giving the sit bones and skin a lot of depth to follow the pelvic movements and thus produce constant walking on the surface.
So is less more? Yes!
So much for Sqlab's argument for thinner, firmer pads. You can follow her, but you don't have to. But you have to realize: The tight, thin, ergonomically shaped seat pad in the Sqlab One12 has enormous long-distance qualities! Our ass tester definitely got along as well with hardly any pants on distances over 100 kilometers as with her. What's more, despite its high density, the pad is highly breathable, which further enhances its long-distance qualities - since sweat is quickly wicked away. After covering around 800 kilometers on routes between 40 and 150 kilometers in length, it feels like a second skin - one that doesn't hurt even after long tours.
The SQ-Short One12 is also a big deal in terms of smell
Neither the seat cushion nor the back part tends to stink after intensive sweat tours. You really have to persuade yourself to wash them regularly, because the smell test doesn't tempt you to do so.
Another interesting fact: Contrary to what one might expect from this ergonomics company, the pad doesn't come in different sizes. Here you can definitely follow the argumentation of the manufacturer: The pad is definitely sufficient for the widest sit bones - and for narrower ones there is no reason against the cushion protruding a little.
SQ-Short One12, the facts:
Area of use: Road and MTB race (optimized for a sporty seating position)
Sizes: 6
Material: 71% Polyamide, 29% Elastane
Pad: Unisex, 4MM thick, 87% polyamide, 13 percent elastane.
Upholstery foam: polyurethane
Price: € 189,95
